Paralympic legend David Weir is looking for a new house after getting into a row with his housing association - but has no plans to leave the borough.

The four-time gold medallist from London 2012 has been told by Roundshaw Homes that he is not allowed a three bedroom house on the Roundshaw estate.

He was told by the housing association they could not show him preference because of who he was.

Despite being a Freeman of the City, having Sutton Arena named after him and enjoying unparrelleled success in his paralympic career, Weir is still having to climb the stairs on his hands to go to the upstairs toilet, risking a recurring shoulder injury.

After last year's Games, David, his fiancee Emily Thorne, and their two children Mason, 2, and Tillie, now nearly one, along with David's other daughter, 10-year-old Ronie, discussed with the association getting a bigger property and one more suitable for them.

Miss Thorne, 23, said she has now become frustrated with the housing association.

She said: "We are not asking for a mansion, we just want somewhere with three bedrooms and a downstairs toilet.

"With David getting a bit older he could do without the daily trips up the stairs on his arms. Plus Ronie comes to stay with us, and she is 10 now, and she doesn't really want to have to stay in a room with a one and two year old."

"I understand there is a huge demand for housing in the borough, and there are other people who need a three bed more than us, but after the games Roundshaw said they had a three bedroom house going, but then they said we were told we couldn't have it because they did not want to look like they had favouritism towards David. Its come to a point now where we need more room."

She said: "We are just going to have to save up. We can never budget for the sponsorship money David gets, as we don't know when it is coming."

A spokesperson for Roundshaw Homes, said: "We continue to actively liaise with Mr Weir to address his housing needs in terms of the size of his home and appropriate adaptations.

Roundshaw Homes provides homes on a referral basis which means that residents are nominated for a property by the London Borough of Sutton, our local authority partner; this includes residents in need of transfer.  Homes can be adapted to suit specific needs, subject to referral from the council’s occupational therapy team. 

We remain ready to provide support and to respond as swiftly as possible to transfer and adaptation requests that come to us."

 

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